Who can bring Grandmaster Flash, Kool Herc, The Cold Crush Brothers, Flavor Flav, M.O.P., Treach, Lord Finesse, Eric B. and a slew of other Hip-Hop royalty out for an album release concert? Bumpy Knuckles and DJ Premier, that’s who.
To celebrate the release of their new collaborative album KoleXXXion, Premo and Bumpy performed at Highline Ballroom to a full house of Hip-Hop enthusiasts and people whose gut told them that the night would be a once in a lifetime spectacle to behold. Rest assured that “once in a lifetime” cannot even begin to do justice to the icons, legends, and Hip-Hop monuments who graced the stage in support of KoleXXXion and the work Premo and Bumpy have been putting in for over two decades.
The event, which was hosted by Flavor Flav, featured opening performances from Justo, Premier’s group The NYG’z, rapper turned fitness trainer Shawn Pen, and Sweet Tee who’s “That’s My Beat” sounded just as good in 2012 as it did in 1986.
Then the man of the hour took to the stage as Bumpy Knuckles, who would also be celebrating his birthday at midnight with his friends and mentors on stage, performed a slew of cuts from KoleXXXion with Premier on the 1’s and 2’s.
KoleXXXion pairs one of the greatest producers and DJs of all time (who provides production that was passed on by other artists) with one of the most poignant and, unfortunately, overlooked lyricists of the past couple of decades. And, while the end result may not be for everyone, there is no doubt that this is the type of music that Hip-Hop and more importantly the world needs right now.
Check out our video recap of the album release concert below:
Bumpy Knuckles and DJ Premier’s KoleXXXion is available now!